NSAI To Shift 2021 Nashville Songwriter Awards To Digital Format

/by

Due to growing concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has announced that the 2021 Nashville Songwriter Awards will be shifted to a virtual format, forgoing the previously announced in-person private event.

The 4th annual awards, presented by City National Bank, will continue to take place Sept. 14, 2021.

The Nashville Songwriter Awards honors the Song, Songwriter, and Songwriter-Artist of the Year, the Songwriter and Songwriter-Artist of the Decade (2010-2019), as well as the ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written,’ awards, given to the top voted songs chosen by fellow professional songwriters as exceptional songs they wish they had penned.

Information regarding how to watch the awards will be announced in the coming weeks.

Dolly Parton & Author James Patterson Coauthor A Novel, Parton To Release Coinciding Album

/by

Dolly Parton. Photo: Rob Hoffman

Beloved entertainment icon Dolly Parton and bestselling author James Patterson will publish a novel they wrote together, it was announced today (Aug. 11) by publisher Little, Brown and Company.

Set in Nashville, the novel titled Run, Rose, Run is about a young woman who moves to Music City to chase her music-making dreams. Fleeing from her past and fueled by a brutal secret, the protagonist is reaching out to control her future.

The first novel Parton has ever written, Run, Rose, Run will be published on March 7, 2022. Parton will simultaneously release an album of the same name, consisting of twelve original songs she was inspired by the book to write, record, and produce. The lyrics to the songs are found in the novel.

Parton says, “I cannot be more excited about the release of my very first novel Run Rose Run with the great James Patterson. I also have a new album to go along with the book. All new songs were written based on the characters and situations in the book. I hope you enjoy the book and the songs as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it all together!”

The album, coproduced by Richard Dennison and Tom Rutledge, will likewise be released in March 2022 on her own Butterfly Records in partnership with another record label that has yet to be determined.

“It’s been an honor—and a hell of a lot of fun—to work with the inimitable Dolly Parton, whom I’ve long admired for her music, her storytelling, and her enormous generosity. The mind-blowing thing about this project is that reading the novel is enhanced by listening to the album and vice versa. It’s a really unique experience that I know readers (and listeners) will love,” adds Patterson.

BREAKING: Bonnaroo To Require COVID Vaccine Or Negative Test For Entry

/by

Bonnaroo 2019. Photo: Charles Reagan Hackleman

Bonnaroo has just announced that they will be enforcing a vaccine requirement ahead of this year’s festival, running Thursday, Sept. 2 through Sunday, Sept. 5. In order to attend the 2021 festival, patrons must present a full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours of entering the property.

“Bonnaroo strongly encourages vaccination. The last day to receive the second shot of Moderna or Pfizer, or a single dose of Johnson and Johnson is Thursday, Aug. 19,” festival organizers shared on its website. “Bonnaroo requests that unvaccinated individuals wear a mask at all times while on The Farm.”

Upon arriving on the Bonnaroo farm, patrons will be required to receive a Health Check Wristband at any campground medical tent. These wristbands will allow entry into the festival for the entire duration of the event.

For attendees for forgot to receive a test, lost their vaccination card, or are outside of the 72-hour window, COVID-19 Rapid Anti-gen tests will be available at all Plaza Medical Tents for $40. If you test positive, a second complimentary test will be given for confirmation.

For anyone who tests positive upon arriving at the Bonnaroo farm, they will be notified of their test status, have their festival wristband removed, and will be provided with a pre-printed card with instructions on how to request a refund for their ticket. Additionally, any patrons who test positive before the festival or who are still in the 14-day isolation window will be eligible for a full ticket refund.

Bonnaroo will also require masks in any indoor spaces regardless of vaccination states, including the General Store, Plaza Barns, and all enclosed activations.

Reyna Roberts Signs With Eclipse Music Group

/by

Pictured (L-R): Kurt Locher (Founder, Eclipse Music Group), Denise Stevens (Partner, Loeb & Loeb), Ryan McMahan (Co-founder, Oath Management), Reyna Roberts, Larry Pareigis (Co-founder, Oath Management), Penny Gattis (General Manager, Eclipse Music Publishing), Samuel Roberts, Jamie Bruno (Creative Manager, Eclipse Music Publishing)

Rising country artist Reyna Roberts has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Eclipse Music Group.

Roberts was born in Alaska into a military family, and grew up in Alabama and California. She moved to Nashville in March 2020 and shortly after released her single “Stompin Grounds,” which was featured during Monday Night Football. She was named as part of the 2021 class of CMT’s Next Women of Country and recently joined Jamey Johnson as a special guest on his summer tour and made her festival debut at Watershed Festival.

Roberts joins Ronnie Bowman, Nick Connors, Sarah Darling, Jeff Garrison, Early James, Jordan James, Eric Masse, Jim McCormick, and Payton Smith on Eclipse Music Group’s publishing roster.

“We are thrilled to welcome Reyna to the Eclipse Music family,” says Penny Gattis, head of Eclipse’ Publishing division.  “It’s been amazing to watch Reyna’s artistic vision come to life through her songwriting, powerhouse vocals and electric live performances. She’s the definition of an entertainer and her dedication to her artistry is inspiring. We are honored to be her publishing home.”

“I am incredibly grateful that Eclipse has welcomed me into their family,” says Roberts. “We share the same vision and dream. Kurt, Penny, and Jamie understand me as an artist and writer. I’m looking forward to us winning together!”

Shane McAnally Makes Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

/by

Shane McAnally moves into the top 10 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. He is a co-writer on “Half Of My Hometown” (Kelsea Ballerini feat. Kenny Chesney), “I Was On A Boat That Day” (Old Dominion), and “Next Girl” (Carly Pearce).

For the forth consecutive week, Ashley Gorley stays at No. 1 on the chart with “Good Things” (Dan + Shay), “Country Again” (Thomas Rhett), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Single Saturday Night” (Cole Swindell), “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton), and “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland).

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Scott Borchetta & Big Machine Take The Racing World By Storm [Interview]

/by

Scott Borchetta. Photo: by Nathan Morgan for BMLG

[This article first appeared in The Sports Credential, the Nashville sports industry trade publication owned by MusicRow magazine’s parent company, Music Row Enterprises, LLC.]

Big Machine Label Group has solidified itself as one of the top independent record labels in Nashville and in the country, discovering and signing artists like Taylor Swift, Florida Georgia Line and Lady A. Founder and CEO Scott Borchetta has become one of the top music executives in the industry, but this past year he and Big Machine made the leap beyond music.

Big Machine and Big Machine Distillery have become one of the biggest sponsors in motorsports over the past few years and have made huge strides in making its name in the sport. Borchetta, an avid racing fan and current driver in the Trans Am series, has taken the Big Machine name and created a whole new image for it within the racing world.

“We’re a 10-year overnight success because we’ve been sponsoring races at Indy for the last decade,” Borchetta tells The Sports Credential. “But it takes that much time and a few ‘aha’ moments. You’ve got to be patient in motorsports and you’ve got to understand how it works, what works, and what kind of products work with it. For a lot of years, I did it as a vanity thing. I just wanted us to be there.”

Borchetta started racing motocross as a 9-year-old in southern California. When he discovered he had a talent for it he started competing in BMX in its early years. From there, the next logical move would be to go to motorcycles, but Borchetta’s father wasn’t going to let that happen. At that point, he started racing quarter midgets, which he did for years. But in the mid-90s, Borchetta started racing legend cars and quickly found the success he was looking for.

“Brooks & Dunn and Mark Collie started racing legends cars, so I started racing with them and I started winning. I became the state regional champion in legends cars, and won a couple of big races, including one of those televised Charlotte Tuesday night feature races on TV,” he shares. “It was a lot of fun. I decided that if I was ever going to move up to big cars, that was the time to do it.”

Borchetta continues, “In 1998, we started racing in the super truck division at the fairgrounds in Nashville. The first season was terrible, the second season we started to look like we knew what we were doing, and then the third season I finished second in points. I won the next three championships in a row. We won my last championship on Sept. 3, 2005. I opened Big Machine on Sept. 1, 2005, so I knew that was going to be my last race.” Borchetta retired from racing as he put all of his blood, sweat, and tears into creating the now-massive BMLG.

He admits that he started racing too late in life to make a career out of it and wasn’t going to put the early stages of Big Machine in jeopardy after so much work and investment. It wasn’t until he met NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham in 2016 when Borchetta rediscovered his love for driving. Evernham invited him to race and, though weary at first, Borchetta agreed to a track day.

“I went over and did a track day with Ray, At some point he said, ‘Man, you’re pretty good. You should come and race with us.’ But I told him no,” Borchetta explains. “I was flying home thinking about it and ended up talking to my wife about it. She said, ‘Why are you even asking me? Ray wants you to come and race. You’re going to do it, so just go do it.’ That was her way of giving me her blessing. Shortly after I started racing vintage and SVRA series and we started doing really well with that. We ended up winning the group six championship.”

For more of Borchetta’s interview with The Sports Credential, click here.

Jameson Rodgers Peaks On MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart

/by

Jameson Rodgers’ single featuring Luke Combs, “Cold Beer Calling My Name,” cruises to No. 1 this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, rising three positions and earning +184 spins. The tune was written by Rodgers, Brett Tyler, Hunter Phelps, and Alysa Vanderhym and appears on his latest EP, In It For The Money.

Rodgers recently announced his headlining tour, Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour 2021, which will begin this month. He will be joined on select dates by Drew Green, Brandon Lay, Drew Parker, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Rowe, and Rodgers’ fiancé Sarah Allison Turner.

Rodgers is also nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the 2021 MusicRow Awards. Winners will be announced on Aug. 19 across all MusicRow platforms.

Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brandi Carlile, Amythyst Kiah, Joy Oladokun, Allison Russell

/by

Clockwise: Allison Russell, Amythyst Kiah, Joy Oladokun, Brandi Carlile

This is some kind of landmark day.

DisClaimer’s round-up of current Americana releases is completely dominated by Black Nashvillians. Three of them—Amythyst Kiah, Joy Oladokun and Allison Russell—are newcomers to the column, so they share the DisCovery Award.

Keb’ Mo’ has long been a community standout. He is an enduring DisClaimer column fave, as are Tiera, Yola and Gramps Morgan. By the way, former Memphian Valerie June is now a Nashvillian, and she is up for Album of the Year at next month’s Americana Awards.

Speaking of those awards, non-Nashvillians Brandi Carlile and Rhiannon Giddens are longtime AMA award favorites, and both are here with new music. Representing the alt-country side of things are Rodney Crowell, Grant Maloy Smith and John Scott Sherrill.

In this embarrassment of riches, Brandi Carlile gets the Disc of the Day, but it could have just as easily gone to any of her 11 Americana compatriots here.

YOLA / “Stand For Myself”
Writers: Dan Auerbach/Hannah Vasanth/Natalie Hemby/Yola; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye
— This British-born, Nashville-based troubadour reunited with Dan Auerbach to produce her sophomore CD. Yola has been showcasing its single “Diamond Studded Shoes” everywhere from the Newport Folk Festival to NPR’s “All Things Considered,” from a live stream today (www.momenthouse.com/yola) to her tour with Chris Stapleton. She recently performed “Stand For Myself,” the disc’s title tune (and her latest video), on Stephen Colbert (with Oscar winner Jon Batiste on piano, no less). The empowering ode reflects the album’s emphasis on nouveau funk-groove and stakes her claim as one of today’s greatest soul singers. This has intense fire.

BRANDI CARLILE / “Right On Time”
Writers: Brandi Carlile/Dave Cobb/Phil Hanseroth/Tim Hanseroth; Producer: Dave Cobb/Shooter Jennings; Label: Low Country Sound/Elektra
— This is the advance single from Brandi’s In These Silent Days, an album due Oct. 1. The six-time Grammy winner sounds even more lustrous and evocative on the gorgeous ballad of loss, regret and relief. Her alto shimmers and her Nashville production team shines in every note. Watch for her to rule the Americana Music Awards next month.

RHIANNON GIDDENS / “Si Dolce e’l Tormento”
Writers: Claudio Monteverdi; Producer: Francesco Turrisi/Rhiannon Giddens; Label: Nonesuch
— The song is a 17th-century Italian composition that is included on her latest album, They’re Calling Me Home. Her performance is a revelation and a tour de force of classical control. Giddens glides easily between genres as she explores everything from old-time music to blues, from opera to folk. Her exquisite phrasing here is a window into a continually creative spirit.

RODNEY CROWELL / “Triage”
Writers: Rodney Crowell; Producer: Rodney Crowell/Dan Knobler; Label: RC1/Thirty Tigers
— A dark, doomy percussive thump accompanies Rodney’s ruminations on love and wisdom. It’s the title tune of his new album, and is an absolutely hypnotic, riveting listening experience. His maturity as a composer and his weathered richness as a vocal stylist are both fabulously rewarding here as the song moves from somber musings to hopeful uplift. Essential.

ALLISON RUSSELL / “Nightflyer”
Writers: Allison Russell/Jeremy Lindsay; Producer: Dan Knobler; Label: Fantasy
— Outside Child, the debut solo album from this Our Native Daughters alumna is a singer-songwriter treasure. Its single is a fever dream of pain and glory that contrasts images of violence and peace in a swirl of airy harmonies and light acoustic instrumentation. It begs you to close your eyes and drift away to a better place. This is the birthplace of a major new voice in Americana music. Take heed, everyone.

KEB’ MO’ / “Sunny and Warm”
Writers: Keb’ Mo’/Steve Dorff; Producer: Tom Hambridge/Keb’ Mo’; Label: Rounder
— Nashville’s resident bluesman teamed up with established pop-country meister and new Music City resident Dorff to craft this lilting ditty. As its title implies, it’s a floating, gently wafting confection that sings the praises romance in the summer season. Mellow is the word.

JOY OLADOKUN / “Judas”
Writers: Joy Oladokun/James Droll/Steven Colyer; Producer: Joy Oladokun; Label: Amigo/Verve/Republic
— In Defense of My Own Happiness came out last year as the debut album by this Nigerian-American songsmith. Previously self released, it has been picked up by a major label and reissued in a deluxe edition featuring this new track. The East Nashville resident is a folkie at heart. Armed with her acoustic guitar, she touches your heart with its plain-spoken, soul-baring, confessional poetry. Classic sounding.

JOHN SCOTT SHERRILL / “Five Generations of Rock County Wilsons”
Writers: John Scott Sherrill; Producer: John Scott Sherrill/ Ronnie Bowman & Scott Paschall; Label: Lobo Libre
— This enduringly great craftsman is going into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame this year in recognition of the zillions of hits he’s written for John Anderson, Brooks & Dunn, Strait, Wariner, Patty, Allison, Buffett and more. Scotty also makes consistently cool records, himself. His latest is titled Copper Tears, and its single is this terrific story song about the destruction of a boy’s countryside and its signal to escape on the next Grayhound Bus. The instrumentation is bluegrassy while his vocal is an effortless honky-tonk croon. This fellow is such a wonderful artist.

GRAMPS MORGAN / “If You’re Looking For Me”
Writers: Gramps Morgan/Johnny Reid/Morry Trent; Producer: Johnny Reid; Label: Halo/WAMA/Orchard
— The leader of the Grammy-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage has a new solo album titled Positive Vibration. The Jamaican-American artist demonstrates here the influences that living in Nashville have brought him. His reggae groove has acquired some production polish, extra melodic gloss and layered vocal harmonies. He’s such a marvelously expressive singer and the groove is so addictive that you don’t want it to ever stop. I’m a major fan.

AMYTHYST KIAH / “Black Myself”
Writers: Amythyst Kiah; Producer: Tony Berg/Amythyst Kiah/Will Maclellan; Label: Rounder
— Her vocal alto is a thing of wonder. Here, she applies it to an accusatory lyric addressing the hypocrisy of Christians who condoned slavery. The rocking track blends electronic thunder with acoustic punch and is way, way gripping. This Nashvillian is a gigantic addition to our songwriting community. Like Allison Russell and Joy Oladokun, Amythyst is nominated as Emerging Artist of the Year at next month’s Americana Awards. In addition, “Black Myself” is up for Song of the Year.

TIERA & BRASSVILLE / “Found It In You”
Writers: Tiera/Cameron Bendell; Producer: Cameron Bendell; Label: Songs & Daughters
— This fan-favorite track has a studio version, an acoustic version and now a live version featuring an eight-piece brass band. No matter how you frame it, the sweetly lilting tune is a highly successful fusion of her R&B and country influences. The Birmingham native is one of the flagship songwriters of Nicolle Galyon’s Songs & Daughters female collective in Music City, and this week she signed with Big Machine/Valory. Yippee.

GRANT MALOY SMITH / “I Found Faith”
Writers: Grant Maloy Smith; Producer: Jeff Silverman & Grant Maloy Smith; Label: Suburban Cowboy
— One of the year’s most ambitious productions is Smith’s Appalachia: American Stories. The vinyl version comes in a box with a 40-page color-illustrated book of lyrics, liner notes and background information on every song. He is accompanied by a who’s-who of acoustic musicians during its 43-minute running time. in addition to its “The Coal Comes Up” single, the set includes this searing gospel outing. Smith’s captivating tenor is joined by the soul harmonies of Kim Fleming and Kim Mount, plus a recitation by the Rev. Janice Brown, a Nashvillian famed for her smash “Rough Side of the Mountain.”

Tiera Joins The Valory Music Co. Roster

/by

Pictured (L-R): McGlinchey Stafford’s Brenner McDonald, Kam Studios’ Kamren Kennedy, OH Creative Management’s Olivia Hanceri, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Tiera, Big Machine Label Group’s Allison Jones, The Valory Music Co.’s George Briner, Big Machine Label Group’s Darielle Schroeder, Big Machine Label Group’s Carly Strickland. Photo Credit: Seth Hellman for The Valory Music Co.

Breakout artist Tiera has signed with the Valory Music Co.

She released her debut, self-titled EP earlier this year, and is paving her own path with standout R&B/country tracks “Found It In You” and “Shut It Down.” She was inducted into CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2020 and was honored by AIMP for their Rising Songwriters Class of 2020. When not in the writer’s room or recording studio, the Alabama-native hosts a daily radio show on Apple Music Country, The Tiera Show. Tiera is set for her next milestone moment on Aug. 17, when the budding young artist makes her Grand Ole Opry debut.

“When Tiera walks into a room she instantly brightens it with her charm, wit and amazing talent,” says Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “I was knocked out the moment I met her and cannot wait for the world to discover her. This is a very special new talent.”

“When I first moved to Nashville I had this vision of what the perfect record deal would be,” says Tiera. “Above all, I wanted to be somewhere where they loved and understood the music and brand that I had built as an independent artist. I wanted to work with people that worked just as hard as I do for my music. I didn’t want to just gain a team, I wanted to gain a family. That’s exactly what I found in the Valory team. They were so enthusiastic from the moment I met them and I just couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of The Valory Music Co.!”

Tiera was the flagship songwriter for Nicolle Galyon’s Songs & Daughters publishing company. She is represented by OH Creative Management and WME in Nashville.

Big Loud Records Launches Rock/Alternative Imprint, Big Loud Rock

/by

Big Loud Records, the home to country acts Morgan Wallen, Jake Owen, Chris Lane, Hardy and many more, has announced the formation of a new rock/alternative imprint, Big Loud Rock.

The emerging label will bring on A.J. Kasen as Senior Vice President of A&R. Kasen started his career at Lava Records in 2011, where he worked with artists Lorde, Jessie J and Black Veil Brides. In 2015, he joined Better Noise Music as the Director of A&R, then bumped up to Vice President in 2017, working directly with artists including Motley Crüe, AWOLNATION, Dirty Heads, Five Finger Death Punch, The Hu, and more. He now joins President and Partner, Greg Thompson, and fellow SVP, Lloyd Aur Norman.

A.J. Kasen. Photo: Lara Schweller

“We’re honored to have A.J. join the Big Loud family,” says Thompson. “It’s exciting to have someone with his pedigree to continue and grow our commitment in the Rock world. Having him team up with Lloyd will give us the best leadership we could imagine.”

Big Loud Rock recently announced its first signed act as Blame My Youth— a new band fronted by former rock band Empires member, Sean Van Vleet. The group’s current single, “Fantastic,” just hit the Top 30 on both the MediaBase Active Rock and BDS Mainstream Rock charts, with a debut EP due this fall.

Meanwhile, Hardy’s cover of the Puddle of Mudd classic, “Blurry,” was released on Big Loud Rock earlier this year.